Rucksack with integrated rolling and traction system

ABSTRACT

A rucksack with supple material walls comprising a retractable handle ( 7 ) and wheels. An incurvated interior base plate ( 2 ) is provided, plate made to form one piece with the base of at least one telescopic housing ( 10 ) of the rod(s) ( 1 ) of the retractable handle ( 7 ), housing provided internally in the baggage along one face. The aforesaid base plate ( 2 ) comprises openings ( 8, 8 ′) at the incurvation, openings receiving projecting wheels ( 5 ). The upper extremity ( 10 ) of the telescopic housing(s) is made to form one piece with a supporting plate ( 3 ) of the supple material extending perpendicular to the telescopic system. The face in contact with the back and provided with straps ( 31 ) is opposite the face adjacent to the telescopic housing ( 10 ).

This application claims the benefit of PCT application No.PCT/BE99/00125 filled Oct. 01, 1999, and foreign application BELGIUM9800741 filed Oct. 02, 1998.

This invention relates to baggage comprising a rigid retractable handleand is suitable for being drawn on wheels. The invention relates moreparticulary to a rucksack.

Several types of rucksack are known provided with wheels and aretractable handle. This type of baggage with supple material walls hasproved to be particularly practical and has experienced an increasingsuccess over these past years. This baggage consists of a bag adapted toa rolling system provided for suitcases, which results in a relativelyheavy and cumbersome bag.

Indeed suitcases or rucksacks on wheels derived from the “trolley” typeof rolling suitcases are already known. It relates in fact to utilizinga cabin suitcase telescopic system (so-called “trolley”) to which arucksack has been adapted. Thus, the rucksacks on wheels of the formerstate-of-the-art comprise a retractable handle, generally formed by twosliding tubes, along the “rear” face or wall that means the one which isdestined to be in contact with the back of the user. This dispositionhas a disadvantage from the point of view of comfort, the telescopicsystem of the handle being rigid. A significant additional padding isnecessary in order to avoid direct contact of the back with this hardlongitudinal element.

Furthermore the rolling system, originally provided in order to bemounted on a suitcase, is heavy, cumbersome and disproportionate. Therucksack is mounted in the place provided for the suitcase. The wheelsare on the outside and located at the base of the aforesaid rear walland are thus, when the baggage is used as a rucksack, likely to soil theclothes on the back of the user since these wheels have been in contactwith the sidewalk and refuse, and possibly even with dog excrement. Thepresence of a flap suitable for enveloping the wheels only constitutes amakeshift because in order to return to using the wheels, the wall ofthe possibly soiled flap is exposed and can be in contact with the user.

Consequently an increase in the practical aspect and in the comfort inuse of this rolling baggage, in particular rucksacks is being sought,while ensuring a decrease in weight without detracting from thesolidity.

This invention aims a remedying the above mentioned inconveniences andat improving the qualities of comfort in use and of lightness. Therucksack is no longer adapted to a rolling system, this latter on thecontrary being adapted to the form and the utilization of the rucksack.

With this objective the invention principally puts forward a rucksackwith supple material walls, for example in fabric, comprising a handleretractable by sliding its shaft, and an incurvated interior base plate,the incurvation of this semirigid plate being imposed by the integrationinto one piece of this plate, e.g. by riveting, with a segment ofincurvated profile extending from the base of the telescopic housing,inside the baggage, of the sliding handle. The semirigid plate can be aplastic plate, for example in polyethylene with a thickness varying from1 to 5 mm.

The walls of the baggage in supple material will preferably be providedin order to form baggage of approximately right-angled parallelepipalform.

Instead of a handle with one rod, a telescopic U-shaped handle can alsobe provided, comprising two rods sliding in two parallel housings. Eachhousing is made to form one piece with the lower incurvated plate andwith the upper plate as for the baggage with one single rod.

According to one variant, the base plate can be a more rigid moldedplate, for example in ABS or polypropylene, whose incurvation is formedfrom origin. In this case, the base of the telescopic housing need notnecessarily be incurvated and/or flattened and can be straight if asolid and rigid attachment means is provided on the raised part of thebase plate (e.g. flange).

In the case of a semirigid plate, the incurvation is also obtained, inparticular at its lateral parts, by two lateral wheel spindle supportarch elements projecting out of the incurvated part of the aforesaidplate.

The telescopic handle system is provided adjacent to and inside the wallopposite to that which is destined to be in contact with the back, inother words to that provided with straps for use as rucksack. Comfort isthus greatly improved.

Advantageously the edge of the lower plate opposite the base of thetelescopic housing has a concave curved horizontal section. Thissection, in contact with the back further conforms to the transverseprofile of the back and thus increases the comfort of the user and/orprevents a premature wear and tear of a protective cushion provided onthe wall in contact with the back.

Furthermore a pad can be provided which adapts to the rim exhibited bythe aforesaid edge, for example in the form of a longitudinally splitfoam sheath.

The shaft of the retractable handle can consist of a hollow tube ofsquare, rectangular or polygonal section, for example in aluminum, butcan also constitute a U-shaped handle, in which case the section can beround. The shaft will nevertheless advantageously, especially forbaggage of small dimensions, consist of a single or double telescopictube sliding in known manner in a rigid housing provided for thispurpose.

According to an important aspect of the invention a supporting plate forthe supple material (e.g. fabric) is also provided, preferably but notcompulsorily of the same nature as the incurvated base plate, disposedat the upper extremity of the housing of the telescopic handle,perpendicular to this housing. This plate is held by an attachmentmeans, e.g. a tightening yoke provided for this purpose on the housing.The size of this plate can vary, in such manner that, according to onepreferred embodiment, only a part of the supple material, encircling theupper extremity of the housing can be held. In particular, thissupporting plate will preferably not extend over the entire depth of thesuitcase.

The upper wall can therefore comprise an independent auxiliary plate,which only serves as a better attachment for a classical type of handle.Indeed, in classic manner, in addition to the telescopic handle,additional handles can be provided sewn and/or riveted onto one orseveral of the walls.

The vertical rigidity of the supple material rucksack is essentiallyensured by the rolling system, the incurvated plate and the telescopicsystem. The invention therefore puts forward baggage whose rigidstructure is essentially L-shaped, or in the form of an angle iron, tothe extent that the transverse upper plate is of relatively reducedsurface area, which favors stackability since the lateral faces and,partly, the upper wall can be folded over toward the inside.

According to one embodiment, the opening means of the rucksack describedabove will be a zip fastener extending from the upper face, over thelateral walls, on each side, in a manner such that once the rucksack isopen, the part of the supple material supported by the upper plate isseparated from the part of the unsupported supple material.

According to one variant, one of the walls comprises along three sidesof its perimeter a zip fastener which enables the folding over of thiswall.

The wall or part of the wall which can be folded over can comprise oneor several pockets and/or one or several auxiliary compartments.

In the case of rucksacks of larger dimensions, a vertical reinforcementcan advantageously be provided extending over a part of the walladjacent to the telescopic system of the handle, integrated to form onepiece with the upper plate by attachment to a bracket. According to onevariant an integrated angle-iron element can be provided. A bracket isthen no longer necessary.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an inverted U-shapedmetallic retaining ring can moreover be provided running over the upperedge and the two lateral edges of the wall adjacent to the telescopicsystem. This retaining ring is advantageously integrated into a suppleedging whose extremities exceed the branches of the U and are incurvatedin order thus to form the two lateral lower edges.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the type ofbaggage described above need not comprise straps and can thus constitutea rolling cabin suitcase with one or two telescopic rods. This suitcaseis characterized by the absence of lateral faces well defined by morerigid retaining ring frames which, for the other types of similarsuitcases, ensure a thickness with spring effect when empty.

In this case, the wall opposite the telescopic system preferably has azip fastener on three sides of the perimeter, enabling the folding-overof this wall. The opening being encircled by an edging, for example inmetal.

Also in this case, an auxiliary supporting plate will advantageously beutilized perpendicular to the transverse upper plate, already mentionedfor the rucksack, as well as to the U-shaped retaining ring reinforcingthe wall adjacent to the telescopic system.

It should be clearly understood that the inner walls of the compartmentsof the baggage according to the invention can advantageously be linedwith a fabric lining, which hides the base plate and the telescopichousing.

The invention will be better understood by examining the drawingssubmitted in appendix, only by way of example of preferred embodiments,in which

FIG. 1 represents a diagram of the internal structure of a rucksackaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents in perspective a “front” view of a complete rucksackaccording to the invention.

FIG. 3 represents a “rear” view of a rucksack according to theinvention.

FIG. 4 represents a variant of the rucksack comprising a U-shapedhandle.

FIGS. 5a, 5 b and 5 c illustrate a variant of the invention applied to apiece of baggage which is not a rucksack.

In the various figures, identical reference numbers refer to identicalor functionally equivalent element.

FIG. 1 schematically represents in perspective a partially exploded viewof the rigid structure of a rucksack according to the invention. A rodor a shaft 1 and a metallic housing 10 can be recognized in which slidesthe doubly telescopic tube or shaft 1 of square or rectangular section,preferably in aluminum. The lower part 11 of the housing extends in theform of an incurvated segment with which a semirigid base plate 2 forexample in polyethylene is made to form one piece by riveting. Thisincurvated part extending the telescopic housing can advantageously beflattened, and can in fact result from the flattening of an extremity ofa hollow section of square or rectangular cross-section. The base plate2 comprises two openings 8 for receiving the wheels provided on archedelements 5, to be made to form one piece on the outside by riveting tothe plate 2. These arches thus contribute to the homogeneous incurvationover its entire width. Feet 6 of the side opposite the wheels are alsoillustrated.

It will be noted that the profile of the rim 12 of the plate can also beincurvated in order to conform better to the profile of the back, whenthe suitcase is used as rucksack. The rim moreover being covered with alongitudinally split protective sheath 14.

A supporting plate 3 of the same nature as the base plate is provided atthe upper part of the housing 10, firmly held by an attachment means,for example a tightening yoke 4. Preferably this supporting plate willnot extend over the entire thickness of the suitcase in order to preventcontact with the upper part of the back or with the neck of the user. Avertical reinforcement 15 is also illustrated, also in the form of aplate, made to form one piece with the supporting plate 3 by attachmentto an intermediate bracket 9.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the rucksack seen from the side ofthe wall adjacent to the retractable handle, such wall being defined asthe front wall 60. The telescopic mechanism is inside the rucksack. Afront compartment 21 and the zip fastener 23 can be distinguished whichextends over two lateral walls 61, 62 and the upper wall and by foldingover the rear wall gives access to the main compartment 24. At the baseof three vertical walls 60, 61, 62, the supple material is covered witha second material 25 preferably in plastic, for example in grained PVC,rendering the base of the lateral faces 26 less supple, decreasing wearand tear, and advantageously enabling an easier cleaning. The wheelarches 28 are located at the lower corners of the wall comprising thetelescopic system and comprising an incurvated flange 29 for protectingthe edging 22, conforming to the incurvated edge of the base plate. Theinterior supporting plate not shown extends up to the zipper 23 and alsoserves as support for the classic handle 30.

FIG. 3 is a representation of a rucksack similar to that from FIG. 2viewed from the rear wall 63 opposite the front wall 60 adjacent to theretractable handle. The straps 31 can be distinguished which can bepartially detached at the attachment buckles 32 and inserted into apocket 33 provided for this purpose. Moreover a cushion 34 is providedfor still further protecting the lower part of the back of the user. Thehandle 30 is attached onto the part that can be folded over with thewall opposite the one adjacent to the telescopic system, the supplematerial adjacent to this handle being internally reinforced by a smallplate not illustrated.

FIG. 4 represents a variant of the rucksack such as represented in FIGS.2 and 3, more adapted for baggage of large dimensions. The telescopichandle 7 indeed comprises two doubly telescopic rods 1, 1′. Moreover,this handle 7 can be retracted right inside the bag and be covered by aflap 40 with zip fastener.

FIG. 5a illustrates a variant of the invention in which there are nostraps, nor dorsal cushion, the baggage thus constituting a cabinsuitcase provided with a back carrying system. The rear wall 63 isrigidified by a metallic retaining ring and comprises a pocket 33′corresponding to the pocket 33 from FIG. 3 which, in this latter case,is suitable for receiving the detached straps.

Distinguishable in addition to the elements already described, areshoulder-strap attachment rings 41, 41′ for a detachable shoulder-strap,the limit of the supporting plate 43, attached to the upper extremity ofthe housing (not shown), an upper handle 30 on a reinforcing plateindependent of the plate 2 (not shown) and a lateral handle 44 on areinforcing plate 45 provided under the fabric, as well as a metallicedging 46 (metal retaining ring) hooping the perimeter of the large rearwall 63 of the suitcase that can be folded over. The front wall adjacentto the telescopic system comprises an auxiliary storage compartment 52.

For this variant, as for a rucksack, an edging 22 can be provided whichcomprises a metallic element 50 forming an inverted U-shapedrigidification retaining ring, illustrated in FIG. 5b, running overthree edges of the wall adjacent to the telescopic system. Thisretaining ring 50 is advantageously integrated into a supple edgingwhose extremities 22′ exceed the branches of the U and are incurvatedinside the arch 8, protected by the flange 29 in order thus to form thetwo lateral lower arrises 51.

Illustrated in FIG. 5b is the assembly of the edging 22 and of themetallic reinforcement running over three edges of the wall adjacent tothe telescopic system. FIG. 5c is an enlargement of the profile inperspective of the edging 22 in which the element 50 is inserted atassembly.

FIG. 5b also shows an exploded reproduction of the base parts of thesuitcase. Recognizable are the incurvated plate 2 provided with twoopenings 8 and made to form one piece with the flattened incurvatedextremity 11 of the telescopic housing 10 not illustrated, the feet 6,the two arches 5 to be attached on the outside of the plate 2 andcomprising a protective flange 29 conforming to the incurvation of theplate and forming the two lower corners of the suitcase, opposite thefeet.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rucksack comprising a front wall, a rear walland two opposite side walls, said walls being made of supple material aretractable handle an incurvated base plate forming a bottom wall madeto be integrated with a lower end of at least one telescopic housing ofa rod of the retractable handle, said housing being provided internallyin the rucksack adjacent to the front wall, the aforesaid base platecomprising openings at the incurvation, said openings receivingprojecting wheels, an upper extremity of the telescopic housing beingmade to integrate a supporting plate of the supple material extendingperpendicular to the telescopic housing, the rear wall provided withshoulder straps being opposite the front wall adjacent to the telescopichousing.
 2. Rucksack according to claim 1 in which the base plate ismade to form one piece with one or more incurvated extensions extendingfrom a lower end of the telescopic housing of the rod of the retractablehandle.
 3. Rucksack according to claim 2 in which the base plate issemirigid and the incurvation of the plate is imposed by the formationinto one piece of this plate with at least one incurvated extensionextending from the base of the telescopic housing(s).
 4. Rucksackaccording to claim 1 wherein the base plate is a rigid molded plate andthe lower end of the telescopic housing is straight and attached to araised part of the base plate.
 5. Rucksack according to claim 1 whereinan edge of the base plate opposite a lower end of the telescopic housinghas a concave curved horizontal section destined to conform to thetransverse profile of a back of an user.
 6. Rucksack according to claim5 wherein there is provided a pad which adapts to a rim exhibited by theaforesaid edge.
 7. Rucksack according to claim 1 wherein the upperextremity of the telescopic housing is attached to the perpendicularsupporting plate of the supple material.
 8. Rucksack according to claim1 comprising an edging reinforced by an inverted U-shaped metallicelement, delimiting and rigidifying the front wall adjacent to thetelescopic housing, the edging extending beyond branches of the metallicelement in order to incurvate and forming lower edges of side walls ofthe rucksack.
 9. Rucksack according to claim 1 wherein the wheels aresupported by arches which form lower corners of the fee wall adjacent tothe telescopic housing, the aforesaid arches internally receiving anincurvated segment of the edging.
 10. Rucksack according to claim 1wherein the supporting plate and the incurvated base plate is covered onthe outside with the supple material.
 11. Rucksack according to claim 1in which the incurvated plate is not covered with a supple material. 12.Rucksack according to claim 1 in which a reinforcing plate is providedextending partially downward from an upper edge of the wall adjacent tothe housing of the retractable handle, the aforesaid reinforcing platebeing made to form one piece with the aforesaid supporting plate by abracket.
 13. Rucksack according to claim 1 in which the supporting plateis an angle-iron plate of which one branch extends partially downwardfrom an upper edge of the wall adjacent to the housing of theretractable handle.
 14. Rucksack according to claim 1 presenting agenerally rectangular prismatic configuration.
 15. Rucksack according toclaim 1 presenting a generally rectangular box-like configuration andcomprising a rear wall, opposite to the wall adjacent to the telescopichousing, that can be folded over through a zip fastener system providedon three sides, and rigidified by a metallic retaining ring providedalong its perimeter, suitable for being utilized as cabin suitcase. 16.Rucksack according to claim 1 presenting a generally rectangularbox-like configuration and comprising an edging with an invertedU-shaped metallic element delimiting the front wall adjacent to thetelescopic housing.